Public Safety and Security Department Overview

The Safety and Security Department provides public safety services to the HACC community. Our goal is to serve with integrity, efficiency and professionalism. Learn about the Safety and Security Department.

Controls access to campus facilities. We open and lock buildings. We also use key control and card access.

Inspects facilities.

Reports security and safety deficiencies. We report any safety concerns to the Facilities Management Department for immediate correction. We report campus safety issues promptly to the Safety and Security Department. This will ensure we can quickly correct the issue.

Responds to and provides assistance during emergency situations.

What can public safety officers do?

HACC public safety officers can:

HACC public safety and security officers are not sworn as police officers. They may make arrests as private citizens. The law allows private citizens to make arrests for on-sight felony and retail/library theft detainment.

Ask for your identification. Public safety and security officers do this to confirm you have lawful business on HACC campuses and property.

Report criminal incidents to the local police. Local police have jurisdiction on our campuses. HACC's Department of Public Safety and Security works closely with the Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement agencies.

What should I do if I witnessed criminal activity on HACC property?

Immediately report any criminal activity you witness on HACC property. You can report it to:

The campus Public Safety and Security Office

The appropriate police agency for your campus location

When you promptly report criminal activity, HACC can issue timely warnings on campuses. It also enables us to disclose accurate crime statistics.

You can make a confidential report by:

Contacting the Campus Public Safety and Security Department. You can do this in person, by phone or by using a callbox.

Authorities will forward your report's information to Public Safety and Security. Public Safety and Security will:

Issue Clery Act Timely Warning notices as appropriate.

Use the information in statistical disclosures. Public Safety and Security includes criminal activity in the annual security report.

Public Safety and Security uses information in accordance with the federal Clery Act requirements and Pennsylvania UCR requirements. They do not include any information about the reporting party in these disclosures.

Can I make an anonymous criminal report to HACC's Public Safety Department?

You may elect to remain anonymous when you report a crime to HACC's Public Safety and Security Department. Anonymous reporting is available via the Report a Crime form.

Please note that while reports made to security personnel, Campus Security Authorities, or other responsible employees of the college will be held confidential, disclosure of personally identifiable information may be mandated by law in the furtherance of a Title IX investigation. Individuals reporting should also consider that reports which withhold information may affect the ability of the College or outside authorities to conduct a timely and effective investigation of an alleged crime.

How does HACC's Public Safety and Security Department handle criminal reports?

The campus public safety department will report criminal activity to the local police. They will then report the criminal activity to the Pennsylvania State Police as necessary. The HACC Public Safety and Security Department maintains a professional working relationship with the state and local police departments in each of our host municipalities.

If a student has committed a criminal action or policy violation, the department will forward the report to the campus dean of student services. The dean will review the complaint. The dean may initiate student disciplinary action.

Any college disciplinary action will be separate from civil authorities' actions. College AP 592 governs the disciplinary procedure. You can find this procedure via myHACC.

You can request information on the outcome of college disciplinary proceedings against the alleged offender. You must be:

A victim of a violent crime

The next-of-kin for a victim who was killed as a result of a violent crime

You must make your request in writing.

Victims of sexual assault are notified of disciplinary outcomes in accordance with VAWA requirements. No written request is required in these cases.

What certifications/licenses do public safety and security officers have?

HACC requires all officers to maintain the following certifications/licenses:

Pennsylvania Lethal Weapons Act (Act 235) certification

ASP Expandable Baton Basic Certification

OCAT Basic OC Pepper Spray Certification

Tactical Handcuffing Certification

First Aid Certification

CPR Certification

Adult & Juvenile AED Certifications

Pennsylvania Driver's License

Who can I call for public safety and security assistance?

Harrisburg Campus —717-780-2568

Gettysburg Campus —717-339-3528

Lancaster Campus —717-358-2999

Lebanon Campus —717-270-6368

Midtown #1 —717-780-2568

Midtown #2 —717-780-2568

York Campus —717-718-0408

How does the HACC Public Safety Department respond to off-campus criminal activity?

The HACC Public Safety and Security Department does not have jurisdiction over off-campus crimes. HACC does not have any officially-recognized off-campus student organizations or housing facilities. The public safety department can provide assistance in contacting the proper authorities.

If you witness any criminal activity off campus, report it to the local or state law enforcement agency.

How does Safety and Security issue an alert notice?

Safety and Security issues alert notices. We issue these notices when we become aware of a potential safety and/or security risk to HACC community members. Safety risks may be on college property or within our immediate vicinity.

We will issue alerts through:

Voicemail

E-mail

Bulletins

e2Campus

Electronic signage

Campus publications such as the Fourth Estate student newspaper

Safety and Security will advise local and state police agencies of potential risks.

Can I see the campus crime log?

The HACC Public Safety Department maintains a log of all criminal activity. The log includes the nature of offense, date, time, location and disposition of the complaint.

You can view the log at each campus's public safety and security office during campus operating hours. You may not be able to view the information if it:

Is prohibited by law

Would jeopardize the confidentiality of a victim

Would jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation

Would cause a suspect to flee or evade detection

Would result in the destruction of evidence

We may archive logs older than 60 days. We will make them available within two business days of your request per federal requirements.

How can I prevent crime?

Crime is broken down into three elements:

Ability —This refers to the offender's skill set. It assesses if the offender has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a crime.

Opportunity —This refers to the chance to commit a crime. The offender can commit a crime because others are careless. The offender may also make the crime possible.

Intent —This refers to the offender's will to commit a crime.

As conscientious citizens, it is our job to remove the element of opportunity. Removing opportunity will lower the likelihood that you will become the victim of a crime.

You can help by:

Keeping your vehicle locked at all times.

Not leaving valuables in plain view in your vehicle.

Walking with others whenever possible, especially after dark.

Using the Safety and Security escort program.

Being aware of your surroundings.

Locking office areas and smart classrooms when not in use.

Not leaving personal belongings unattended at any time.

Maintaining control of any keys and access cards issued to you.

Being careful about what you post on social networking sites. Do not publicly post schedules or other information that may allow strangers to learn your location.

Reporting any safety or security concerns.

Trusting your instincts. If something "feels" wrong, it probably is.

How does HACC educate the community on crime prevention?

Public safety and security officers provide college‐wide crime prevention presentations during new student orientations and new employee orientations. New student and employee orientations are conducted at least once per academic year at each campus.

Presentations covering crime prevention, emergency procedures, and general security and safety information with question and answer sessions are provided on an open basis at each campus location. These are scheduled twice per calendar year or may be provided in the classroom, at a campus event, or for student organizations upon request.

The student development staff at each campus periodically schedules presentations and informational sessions by outside crime prevention organizations. These presentations may be stand‐alone events or included as part of another campus event. For more information on attending these events, contact your campus student development office.